All our issues have been defensive and only if I were to nitpick offensively then I would say build-up. So playing a team like Getafe where it would be difficult to score doesn't ring an alarm bell to an issue the way the Newcastle game would. I will never be okay with allowing high quality chances so often regardless of who is our keeper. Especially in a team where we are so lopsided in quality when referencing the attack and defense.
Chances happen by default is correct, chances happening as often as they do and at the quality they occur is systematic considering our position as a team. My problem as I stated before, is the regularity. You think it's a coincidence that we concede chances the same exact way to any TEAM all the time. The celta vigo comeback last season was emblematic of what I'm referencing now for example or the Dortmund game or the Inter game. This specific issue has been happening for a long time, we concede chances/ goals either through set pieces or a switch of play and cross across the box, or a deep run. Acknowledging that these things will happen isn't the problem obviously, it is how often. You just have a higher chance of actually being punished by higher level opposition. Our bad period coincided with Lamine being injured, which is a whole other topic in itself but I digress. I refuse to just accept how often we concede the same types of chances because I have standards and an ambition to overcome the regularity of those conceded chances to allow for Barca to get over the hump.
Man it’s part of our game, we won’t play this well and score this much if we don’t initiate the high press and high line. Our play style is high risk high reward and so far we reaped many rewards from it and I personally won’t have it any other way. Inter were the best defence last season and it wouldn’t prevent them from conceding 6 to us over 2 legs which was equal to all the goals they conceded up to the semi finals.
I acknowledge the benefits of it, however being this gung ho isn't sustainable. That is why I prefer a more conservative approach which would at least allow for defensive stability. I try not to be pessimistic but I'll hold this position until the end of the season, then I'll determine whether or not I still believe that a change would be necessary.
I loved how he thrusted his head as he himself wanted to score on Rashfords header. I know many coaches do similar thing, but this guys really seems in love with club and players, because they fit his football philosophy so well. He's like kid in free for all candy store.
I doubt we’ll score many goals if we try to be more defensively stable
